Friday, May 8, 2009

Crisis Intervention, Green Oaks Hospital, and Dallas PD

One poster sent this information from Green Oaks Hospital in regards to Crisis Intervention and the Dallas PD. Here's an excerpt:

The Division is comprised of 2 major sections:Crisis Assistance and Homeless Outreach.CRISIS ASSISTANCEa. Geriatric Mental Health: Two Crisis Assistancecaseworkers are assigned citywide to provide on-the-sceneassessments of seniors, aged 60 and over who are experiencingsituations involving dementia, abuse, neglect and exploitation.These caseworkers assist citizens in crisis with rapid access tosocial, health, and mental health services, and provide postcrisisfollow-up to ensure that the client is self-sufficient.b. Mental Health Response: One mental healthcaseworker is responsible for responding when requested bypublic safety or health-care professionals. The caseworker willattempt to stabilize the client through intervention andassessment to determine the level of cognitive reasoning andfunctionality. Finally, the caseworker will link citizens withpsychiatric services through professionally trained caseworkers.c. Domestic Violence: One caseworker responds to onscenedomestic violence calls when requested by patrol officers,and conducts post-crisis follow-up to victims of domesticviolence. These interventions are aimed at assisting victims copewith domestic violence, and gives victims of domestic violencea calm, non-intimidating source of assistance. Immediateinformation is provided as to the next steps in staying safe.d. Child Neglect/Abuse: One caseworker is assigned torespond to requests from police and/child protective services toassist families experiencing a crisis relating to victimizationinvolving children. Typically, the caseworker handles three typesof primary referrals: 1) Allegations of child neglect/abuse, 2)Parent/child disputes, and 3) Custody disputes involving abuseallegations. The majority of referrals come from the DallasPolice Department via calls to 911. The referrals are generatedbecause the police have been called to either a residence orschool facility involving an allegation of child neglect or abuse,below the level of a Child Protective Services referral.